February 2014 edited - The Santa Cruz Yacht...

February 2014Volume 86, Number 2

Scholastic Sailing ! On Saturday, 1/11/14, Santa Cruz High sopho-more skipper CharlotteLenz and Georgiana Bruce Kirby freshman crewOliviaBeers won first place in Silver Fleet at the Little Daddy Regatta hosted by the Richmond Yacht Club. This was the seventh of nine regattas sponsored by the Pacific Coast Interscholastic Sailing Association’s Nor Cal League. Over fifty north-ern California high schools compete during the school year. In total, seventeen sailors, representing six high schools, from the Santa Cruz Yacht Club’s Scholastic Sailing Program began the trek to Richmond at dawn. After the two hour drive, they were met with weather

that was cloudy with drizzle and in the 50’s. Thankfully there was an afternoon breeze between 10 to 15 knots. Six races were run that afternoon with Charlotte and Olivia consistently placing in the top five or better out of 32 boats. Other SCYC team members placed well that day too. Pacific Collegiate juniorsJulianMartinez Prado and TaliaRozenbaum placed seventh in Gold Fleet out of 31 boats. MichaelPacholski, a junior at PCS, with crew DanaFoley, an eighth grader at Aptos Junior High, placed ninth in Gold Fleet.

Andrea Miller

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February 2014 Santa Cruz yaCht Club Spinnaker

Commodore’sReport

It has been an exciting, busy, and rewarding last couple of months since we last communicated. The club has organized and launched our traditional activi-ties through December and January. With our new year getting underway lets recap some of the most recent and future events.

First and foremost, Happy New Year to everyone as we begin 2014 with a “Bang and Go!” race to com-memorate the 100 Year Anniversary of our Wharf in August. This April we will celebrate the 50th Anniversary of our Harbor as well as our club’s 86th Birthday! This year we added a few additional aspects to the holiday season by aggressively “lighting up the har-bor”, the club, and increasing the number of Lighted Boat Parade (LBP) participants. Let’s shine a big light on our very successful LBP committee, chaired by TomDexel and his energetic collection of volunteers; KayDexel,RickandDorieGreen,RobandDeSchuyler,Teresaand JoeWagster,MarieandKellyNesheimandmyself. We have already met, debriefed, and begun the planning for the 2014 LBP. As a part of the LBP, MikakoLazarus and her band of Corinthians’ decorated the Committee boat, Onward, receiving honors for its class. This collab-orative effort was appreciated by all and added a special touch to this year’s LBP. Our Social Team lead by DonConantandMary Larkin-Berlinskioutdid themselves for the New Year Eve Party! Upon entering the club you were immediately transported into a classy room decorated with chandeliers and tall-lighted white columns. The variety of appetiz-ers hit the spot as the evening began. Dinner was a hit followed by dancing until midnight. This evening was especially grand as we were able to have so many of our

families and friends of the club bring in the New Year. The Installation Dinner and dancing that fol-lowed was very special to me as my family was able to share this evening as they sat at the large ‘Viking’ table. I want to thank GregandJennifer for their arrange-ments and organization for the evening and ChuckHawley for, once again, humorously maneuvering us through the evening. Congratulations’ to all of our honorees: Bent Spreader-BretGripenstrawandMikeEvans, Yachtsman- BeauVrolyk, Yachtswomen- Still a Secret! Most Improved sailor-GeoffBoraston, Dave Goodale-GenSofen, Corinthian Yachtswoman-LizKroft,and Corinthian Yachtsman-JohnMizell.We would like to thank Staff Commodore RoyceFletcherfor his contributions to last year’s Board in DaveEm-berson’s absence and his years of service as Chairper-son for our “The Good of Yachting” program. Please welcome DanCookas our new chairperson. Our January Board meeting was highlighted with a very favorable “End of the Year” budget report; thank you Jennifer, Greg,andTreasurer LouPam-bianco. Last year’s conservative budget tack, great leadership by RobSchuyler and the Board has paid off. Thanks also go out to the efforts of our Directors, Committee heads, and volunteers. We can all breath a little easier knowing that we can manage our mortgage, conduct business as usual, increase membership, club participation, and still contribute funds towards paying down our remodel loan balance. We are confident that this year will continue responsible spending as well as

being able to com-plete several yard and house projects. The US Sail-ing Leadership Forum will be held the first week in February in San Diego. ChuckHawley,BillLee, and I will be attending. Inviting breakout ses-sions and discussion panels indicates topics that might prove help-ful to the future of our club and yachting. We hope to return with valuable information, strategies, and models

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that will complement our club’s success. We would like to thank and acknowledge the ef-forts from our additional club members, specifically our Historian NeilsKisling,for his energy in keeping “Mile Buoy” part of our local bay waters. Our Port Commis-sioners, DanHaifley,and Port Director LisaEkers played key roles as well. In closing, I want to express my appreciation for your sustained support. Know that I accept the array of responsibilities as your Commodore. The Board of Directors and I want to assure you that we will continue to promote an inclusive environment, conduct spectacu-lar events, and embrace our club’s mission. We foster a “door open” atmosphere and welcome constructive problem solving solutions for consideration. Be safe and I will see you on the water, in the yard or at the club.

Barry WhittallCommodore

ViceCommodore’sReport Whew! How did it get to be January? And 2014 for that matter? Well, this is my first article as your new Vice Commodore, but before I turn to the fascinat-ing topic of my new duties (maintaining our clubhouse), I have some final thoughts on the past year as your Rear Commodore. I would again like to thank the many volun-teers who have made this past year’s social events such fun. Our New Year’s party was a prime example, and I would like to thank MaryLarkin,DanMurphy,KatieRadcliffe,Rob & DeSchuyler,ChuckMurray, and es-pecially Barry (“The Human Fly”) Whittall, who spent

many hours atop the Club’s tallest ladder hanging vari-ous shiny objects from the ceiling. By all accounts, the party was a success, with the Club looking very snappy, fine food, and great music. Thank you all! Way to see the year out in style! Also at the top of my thank you list are GregHaws and JenniferWhall, without whom the place would come to a screeching halt. Thanks for every-thing you do to make our Club run like a well oiled machine, and always with grace and good humor. But wait, there’s more! A sincere thank you to my fellow officers, board members, and committee chairs who give their time and effort so generously, with a very special thanks to outgoing Commodore Rob Schuyler (and his lovely De) for . . . well, every-thing. Your energy, leadership, and love for the Club and its members have made the last year (and a half) full of fun events, world-class regattas, and major Club improvements. Lastly, I would like to thank my lovely mer-maid, ErinWilliams, for all of her help and support. I’m one lucky sailor. Looking ahead, among the duties of the Vice Commodore are the care and feeding of our club-house, and I got my first baptism by fire this past week when I was informed that the “big” TV cut out during the NFC Championship (sorry, Niners, but thanks for the great year!) and that the door handle for the men’s bathroom had come loose. Fortunately, the TV just needed a new cable box (thanks, Greg and Barbara!), but after a look or two at the door handle, and trips to my garage and the hardware store, I’m happy to report I’ve fixed my first item as your Vice Commodore (cue bicep kissing . . . hoowahh!). Fortunately, I have my new best friends (also known as the House Commit-tee), BrianPiazza and KellyNesheim to help keep things in good repair. As you might expect, there is

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a list of items to be attended to in the Club, so if you either (a) have suggestions for additions to that list, or (b) want to help out on the House Committee, please let me know. So that’s it for now. I’m looking forward to continuing to serve our Club as your Vice Commodore and am grateful for your good wishes and support. And to end on a positive note, let’s be thankful that our friends at the US Coast Guard apparently took our many cards and letters into account, and have decided to leave our Santa Cruz Mile Buoy exactly where it is. Ahoy and hallelujah! Again, thanks for the opportunity to serve as your RC. Come on down and enjoy our wonderful Club!

Don ConantVice Commodore

P.S. Our first “Work Day” of 2014 is scheduled from 9:00am to 3:00pm on Sunday, February 23. It’s a great event to meet new members and rekindle old friend-ships. Hope to see you there.

RearCommodore First, my wife Hilda has agreed to be social chair this year. DeSchyler,DonConant,GregHaws,JenniferWhalland many others have volunteered to help. Thanks you! The New Year’s Eve Party was outstanding. On New Year’s Day, under JasonLauer, the Cruis-ing Sailors had a New Years Day brunch that was very successful. This is a new addition to the social calendar! We hope it continues next year. The Instal-lation Dinner 1/11/2014 at the Paradox was very well done. The potluck dinner 1/19/2014 with the 49ers and

Seattle Seahawks was attended by well over 60 people! A large variety and great food was brought. A cable box giving out was a disappointment, but the others worked fine. By the time you read this, several of the very nice Wednesday evening sailing seminars and wine tastings will have occurred. On 2/2/2014 Sunday the Super Bowl party will be held. The club will provide some ham, turkey, and Buffalo wings. It is also potluck. Bring your favorite snacks and a dish to share. The game starts at 3:20, the bar opens at 2:30. Don’t forget the Youth’s Mini-Boat Regatta 2/8/2014, Saturday starting at 4 PM. Adults can also enter! This year’s Valentine’s Day is on Friday 2/14/2014. While it will be the usual Friday Night Din-ner, starting at 5:30, first come-first served, there will be special decorations and menu. Bring that important person in your life! We would like suggestions to make the Friday night dinners more kid friendly, now we have a room downstairs that is also not a bar. On 2/19/2014 Wednesday 7 PM there will be an-other Potluck Appetizers, and Wine tasting. (Wine variety to be determined). Come and enjoy it! On Sunday 2/23/2014 5:30 will be another potluck dinner. Come with your friends, relax, and enjoy yourselves. On March 1st, Saturday, 6:30 PM there will be a crab feed put on by the Corinthians. Always great! So there is a lot you can do at the club during this “winter”. (I hope rain will come sometime soon.) Finally, 3/12/2014 daylight saving time will have returned and the Wednesday Night BBQ’s resume. Hal-leluiah! See you at the club.

Chuck MurrayRear Commodore

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Upcoming SCYC Events Calendar

Super Bowl Party / PotluckFebruary 2

Sailing SeminarFebruary 5

Mini-Boat RegattaFebruary 8

Santana 22 Team RacingFebruary 8

Cruising Committee / PotluckFebruary 9

Sailing SeminarFebruary 12 & 26

Valentine’s Day DinnerFriday, February 14

Midwinters #4February 15

Wine Tasting / PotluckFebruary 19

Work DayFebruary 23

PotluckFebruary 23

WednesdayWinterInformationalSeminars

Here is the schedule for the rest of the Wednesday seminars:

February5th—AbeBorkerMonterey Bay, World class sailing and seabirds

Abe Borker is a seabird biologist and enthusiast from Santa Cruz, California. Abe had been photographing birds for 15 years before he began researching seabirds at the University of California Santa Cruz. He will discuss how Monterey Bay is globally unique/special for observing sea-birds, and an overview of the seabirds that visit the bay high-lighting special and interesting life histories of birds and the best times to see them. More of his photos and travels can be seen at www.AbeBorker.com. - See more at: http://www.naturescapes.net/articles/author/aborker/#sthash.qX65lUuK.dpuf

February12th—FrankvanDiggelenGPS and Real-time Race Data Frank is Hanalei’s tactician, Broadcom Fellow and Senior Director for GPS and Stanford Consulting Professor. Recent developments in GPS technology mean that smart phones could supply the club sailor with real-time race-course data on almost the level experienced in the America’s Cup. What Stan Honey had to work with in developing his LiveLine technology was the very best that could be pur-chased, repurposed or invented for incredibly precise work. Compare that to what’s in or coming in a smart phone and the prospects are surprising. The America’s Cup has always had trickle down, but this could raise the game for club fleets long before weekend warriors have anything to do with wings or foils.

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AdvertiseintheSpinnakerSheet

Reach your target market. Rates, for a business card size or classified ad, as low as $15 per month or $100 for the entire year. For more information or to advertise please call 831-425-0690 or e-mail [email protected].

February26th—MatthewCoaleHands-On Workshop/Knot Tying--Splicing Matthew will talk to us about the different types of lines- three strand, double braid and single braid lines- so we will understand different line mate-rials and their properties. He will teach the pros and cons of knot use. In addition, we will learn to splice different kinds of lines. We will learn the answer to the question: why splice lines instead of knots?

March5th—JonKimHow to be Good Crew

Jon is the co-owner of two boats in the har-bor with Gary Schwehr. They are masters at training crew and mentoring new sailors. They have developed guidelines that are shared with new crewmembers about the roles and responsibilities of the crew and own-ers. This crew handout also has a process for handling problems that may arise in the relationships too. Crew etiquette is not written in any rulebook.

Club will open at 6:30 pm for the Winter Wednesday Sailing Seminars. Presentations will begin

promptly at 7:00 pm and conclude by 9:00 pm. The side bar will be open and no outside liquor can be brought to the club. These seminars are open to all club members and invited guests. Please feel free to invite fellow sail-ors who might enjoy the seminars and getting to know our club. The first Wednesday night BBQ will be on March 12th when daylight savings returns to the calendar.

Thank you for your support this year,De Schuyler and John Mizell

CruisingCommittee

On January 1st we hosted a wonderful New Years Day brunch. Over 40 people showed up. There were blueberry pancakes, bacon, quiche, bloody marys and all sorts of goodies. Our annual kick off potluck where we plan our year’s events is scheduled for Sun-day, February 9th at 5:30pm. If you are interested in being a part of the cruising club please let me know.

Jason [email protected] Chairperson

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AnnualMini-BoatRegattaSaturday, February 8th, 2014 4pm-9pm, Pizza at 5:00pm, Racing begins at 6pm

All comers, ages 3-100, come make a boat and race it for prizes and glory!

Show off your design skills and sailing prowess in a 14’ x 4’ artificial pond with wind!

Classes: Youth: Sailors not yet in high school Adult: Sailors in high school and above...

Linda Moore

ASailingChristmas

“You hear one mainsheet ratchet go, then bang -- 124 more Laser radial sailors were off and sprint-ing up the course.” This is the way my coach would describe the racing off Coral Reef Yacht Club in the Orange Bowl Regatta. I have been sailing Laser dinghies for the last three years, and have been privileged as a sailor to be a part of the Santa Cruz community. As a Laser racer I have been striving to improve my skills and test my abilities.US Laser Nationals in Santa Cruz this summer gave me an awesome opportunity to be able to compete in a high-level regatta. After Nationals I wanted to continue to push my training and go for an even bigger regatta. Being a junior in high school, it is hard to balance school and sailing at the same time. The Orange Bowl International Youth Regatta was the ideal next regatta for me to strive for. With 300 Optimist dinghies, 180 Lasers, and 110 Club 420s attending this regatta, it seemed like the perfect next step. The Orange Bowl

Regatta is held out of Coral Reef Yacht Club in Coconut Grove, just south of Miami; at this regatta more than 40 countries are represented. I left on Christmas Day in order to arrive in Miami with a day to practice with my team. I set up the brand new charter boat with all the rigging necessary and went out sailing. I was practicing with team-CISA (California International Scholarship Association). We had about 15 Laser sailors from differ-ent parts of California, and two excellent coaches Chris Barnard, and Allie Blecher.

TheFirstDay (Aggressive Day):

Sailing out, lining up, and starting with 125 boats is something you cannot prepare for mentally. I had practiced holding my position on the start line many times; however this brought a whole new meaning to holding my position. In order to start near the pin, I had to be on the line at or before three minutes into the start. The first start blew my mind. The three races of the day showed me that I had the pace upwind in order to stick with the top quarter of the fleet, however, I found what I excelled in upwind speed I needed to improve down-wind. My focus for the next three days was to get out front at the start and the first beat, and then try to hold on, on the downwinds and beat out as many boats as I could, picking them off individually each downwind.

TheSecondDay (Too Aggressive):

As I had been discussing with my coaches, I came 3,000 miles out to Florida in order to sail in this regatta. Not being aggressive and not “going for it” was not an option after I have put so much commitment into this regatta. The day before I had seen that when I got

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a front row start, I would already be doing better than more than three quarters of the fleet; that was what my goal was for the second day, every single race to get a front row start. And I did it! ... at a cost! I was over early twice that day, and it set back my regatta scores dramatically. With 125 boats in the pack; that was a full 125 points for each race. That pushed my overall position downwards maybe never to recover because no one knew if they were over until the end of the day. I took these OCS’s as a lesson to be aggressive on the line with the boats around me, but to be sure I knew where I was on the line. In order to do this I attempted to have a line sight; but with that many boats (and being off shore by at least two miles) it was nearly impossible. I recov-ered from those OCS’s by putting my head down in the breeze and just sailing upwind for as hard and as long as possible.

TheThirdDay:

With five minutes to spare I just barely made it out to the start line. The launch situation was very chal-lenging at this regatta. They had great docking facilities, but with 175 lasers all wanting to launch at the same time, there was going to be a problem. It really made me thankful for all of the volunteers that helped out in Santa Cruz at Laser Nationals. They made it happen extremely smoothly. The third day was when my results struggled. While talking to my coach on her coach boat, my carbon tiller extension caught between the boats and snapped. With the quick addition of electrical tape, I was back in action; but with a much shorter tiller extension. This made me learn that results can be heavily affected by the mental game. I was discouraged and for the next two races of that day I was not able to adjust to the new conditions. However, I got back on my feet and ended the day with good boat speed and two good results.

TheFourthDay:

Sailing requires one very basic element. Wind. The fourth day was void of that required element. We rigged up; the CISA group sat around talking about sailing strategy, and life outside of humid Miami; but we never got to sail. The fourth day was when I realized what an incredible experience I had, being able to com-pete in this regatta. Being a member of the CISA team gave me great coaches and additionally great friends who I will now know going to all of the big events later this year. In summary, the opportunity to compete at Or-ange Bowl was an incredible experience on every level. I want to sincerely thank the Santa Cruz Sailing Founda-tion, the Santa Cruz Yacht Club, my coaches, CISA, and my family for helping make this dream come to fruition.

Michael LevySCYC Junior

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SCYCMembers RacingUpdates

There hasn’t been a lot going on this winter, but I did run into MackenzieCook in West Marine and he told me some great stories about his first se-mester on the sailing team at the University of Ha-waii. While he has been a bit busy in his engineering studies, to get me a written update, I’ll tell you what I heard……In joining the sailing team, there was an opening on the 27 foot keelboats that they are racing. There are no other freshmen on that crew and Mack-enzie had to try out against a Junior for the bowman position. Now, the only bow experience that Mack-enzie had, was on the bow of Octavia, where he has been our understudy, behind Dave Hopkins and Mike Evans. (Imagine those two teaching you the bow!) Well, Mackenzie’s tryouts took the form of each of the two contenders doing the bow on competing boats, do-ing mark roundings till one of them dropped. I think Mackenzie said they did about 30 roundings (not quite sure exactly how many) and Mackenzie was the last man standing, so he got the position! Hopefully I’ll get an update from him this spring.

CALIFORNIA - ChrisWatts was out on SF Bay rac-ing in the Golden Gate Yacht Club’s midwinter series. Chris was tactician on the Tripp 43 TNT and they finished 2nd in a “drift fest with lots of tide”. Chris was main trimmer this month on the Tai Kaui . They finished 7th on Saturday and 1st on Sunday. They are in 3rd only a few points out of first with two more races to go. BrentRuhne did a bit o racing in December, in a small Farr 40 regatta in SB. Didn’t get a lot of info on that, but he’s heading off for the Melges 24 Pre Worlds and Worlds down under! If you have info on where club members are racing, please feel free to pass along details to [email protected].

Ellen Kett

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JuniorsonMelges

Sailing in the Regatta Pro Midwinters One Design Series on San Francisco Bay Melges 24 M1 representing SCYC is currently in 2nd place after 6 races with 8 boats competing. M1 is being sailed by SCYC junior sailors IanCollignon helmsman, Jos-selynVerutti main, OliviaBeers jib, MichaelLevy spin and jib trim along with DaveCollignon (regular member) tactics. With one remaining regatta M1 is just five points out of first place.

Tina Verutti

SpinnakerSheetFoldersNeeded If you are looking for a way to give back to your Club we can always use a little extra help folding and label-ing the Spinnaker Sheet. Approximately the last Tuesday of every month a group of volunteers get together and yuck it up while preparing the Spinnaker Sheet for mailing. If interested please contact the office or e-mail [email protected]. Thank you for your consideration.

Manager’sReport

It’s been a while since my last report due to the in-formative articles from our contributors and the lack of space due to the U.S. Postal Service limiting the number of pages we can print and still comply with the “bulk mail” rules. I would like to thank the 2013 Board of Directors, especially Junior Staff Commodore RobSchuyler and his supporting cast for what was an outstanding year. I also would like to welcome your 2014 Board of Directors and am looking forward to another fantastic year! My daughter Sidney just turned nine last week, at-tends third grade at DeLaveaga Elementary and enjoys dance class, swimming, riding bikes and her never ending collec-tion of dolls. We thank you for all your support!

Greg HawsClub Manager

February 2014 edited - The Santa Cruz Yacht...

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